On-Chip Single Plasmon Detection

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the on-chip electrical detection of single surface plasmons using quantum dots and superconducting detectors, advancing integrated quantum information processing capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel on-chip method for electrically detecting single plasmons propagating along gold waveguides, combining quantum dot excitation with superconducting detection.

Findings

Successful detection of single plasmons on-chip

Correlation measurements confirm single plasmon detection

Plasmons propagate several micrometers before detection

Abstract

Surface plasmon polaritons (plasmons) have the potential to interface electronic and optical devices. They could prove extremely useful for integrated quantum information processing. Here we demonstrate on-chip electrical detection of single plasmons propagating along gold waveguides. The plasmons are excited using the single-photon emission of an optically emitting quantum dot. After propagating for several micrometers, the plasmons are coupled to a superconducting detector in the near-field. Correlation measurements prove that single plasmons are being detected.